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Article: TAKING FLIGHT BEEKEEPER CHARGES PESTICIDE ABUSE, LEAVES ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY.(Local)
- Article from:
- Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
- Article date:
- June 20, 1999
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1999 Rocky Mountain News. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Dialog LLC by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Deborah Frazier News Staff Writer
Colorado's largest beekeeper has pulled his winged pollinators out of the state's melon-growing region after suspected pesticide abuse killed about 10 percent of his troops last month.
The decision potentially could cut Rocky Ford melon production 25 percent.
``I don't want to hurt the melon growers, but I'm not going to put them back unless we can get protection,'' said Lyle Johnston of Rocky Ford. He estimated the loss at $30,000 to $40,000.
Johnston put 1,000 hives at six locations near Fowler, in southeast Colorado, locations he has used safely for 20 years. An aerial sprayer applied ...